Researchers record endangered plants on scientific expedition to Serra da Chapadinha, Bahia

Between May 16 and 24, 2024, the CNCFlora/JBRJ team embarked on an expedition to Serra da Chapadinha, in the Chapada Diamantina region of Bahia. The aim was to gather information on the biodiversity of endangered plants in the region, complementing floristic inventories and supporting the process of creating a protected area.

The Chapadinha mountain range, located between Itaetê, Mucugê and Ibicoara, is a fascinating transition area (ecotone) between the Caatinga, Cerrado and Atlantic Rainforest. This highly water-important site is one of the main recharge areas for the springs that supply around 60% of the Salvador metropolitan region. It is also home to outstanding elements of the geodiversity of the Chapada Diamantina and a well-preserved natural heritage, between the Chapada Diamantina National Park and the Espalhado Municipal Natural Park.

Given the importance of these attributes, a proposal is underway to create a Conservation Unit to protect the Serra da Chapadinha. The mission of this expedition was to identify endangered species and collect valuable information about the flora in this place that is home to unique and still little-known plant formations.

During the expedition, the researchers explored sites such as Pedra do Caboclo, the viewpoint and canyons leading to Cachoeira Encantada and the banks of the Jacuba River. They collected more than 260 botanical samples from 54 different families, including rare species such as the cabochon's millet, Heterocoma erecta (Endangered - EN), and Stachytarpheta radlkoferiana (Vulnerable - VU), as well as several species of Fabaceae, Melastomataceae, Bromeliaceae and Cactaceae.

The researchers believe that this journey was crucial for the protection of Serra da Chapadinha, highlighting the need for effective conservation measures, and highlight the value of local collaborators: "Special thanks to local guides Jânio Souza Rocha, the popular "Feijão", and Robson Junior, to Alcione F. Corrêa and Marcos Fantini, who opened the doors of Toca do Lobo, for their invaluable support".

The expedition was carried out as part of the activities of the Conservation, Restoration and Management Strategies for the Biodiversity of the Caatinga, Pampa and Pantanal Project (GEF Terrestrial). The project is financed by the GEF (Global Environment Facility Trust Fund), under the coordination of the Ministry of the Environment, with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) as the implementing agency and the Brazilian Biodiversity Fund (Funbio) as the executing agency.